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Corrections officer saves inmate

A San Luis Obispo County Corrections officer prevented a suicide at the county jail on the morning of July 15, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

The officer, who was not named, witnessed the 44-year-old inmate attempting to hang himself in his cell with a towel.

A jail response team comprised of medical and correctional staff was called, and the unnamed inmate was removed from the cell and taken to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center for treatment. As of press time, he was back in custody at the county jail.

Information about the inmate was scarce, but the department did confirm he was booked July 13 by Grover Beach Police Department on a contempt of court charge and had undergone an initial mental health evaluation. He is being held on $15,000 bail.

The incident marks the second time this year in which a corrections officer has prevented an inmate suicide at the jail.